The state Department of Transportation won’t be installing a long-sought traffic signal at the intersection of Route 67 and Riggs Street anytime soon.
DOT Spokesman Kevin Nursick said the transportation department doesn’t know how much federal funding it will receive for projects. So, the DOT is focusing on fixing existing infrastructure statewide, rather than spending on new initiatives.
The Oxford intersection is one of hundreds of new projects being put on hold for now because of funding uncertainty, he said.
“There are uncertain financial outlooks for Connecticut and all (transportation departments). The result is some projects will have to be tabled until we have the ability to move forward with them,” Nursick said. “We can’t move forward, but we are diligently working preserve current infrastructure. We need to fix our leaking roof before we can talk about adding on to the house.”
Nursick did not have a definite time frame for when a traffic light would be installed.
The intersection gets plenty of traffic, especially since Oxford Greens is there.
Nursick said a traffic signal is warranted for the intersection, located less than a mile from Town Hall, to handle congestion and improve efficiency in moving traffic. However, a traffic study did not find “major” safety issues at the intersection, Nursick said.
Federal funds were expected to cover 80 percent of the $90,000 project. The town and state DOT were to contribute 10 percent each.
The Board of Selectmen voted Wednesday to take back the town’s $9,000 in matching funds until the DOT is ready to start construction.
First Selectman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers said it made sense to take the money back.
While Drayton-Rogers is happy that the project is still a top priority for the DOT, she said the continuing delays in getting the traffic signal installed are frustrating.
“It’s a big disappointment for the residents who use it,” she said. “It’s just the money that we’re waiting for.”